Device for cleaning channels of an endoscope

Abstract

A device for cleaning channels of an endoscope has its main body in which a first check valve for permitting merely suction of a liquid detergent into said main body, a syringe for effecting suction and discharge of the liquid detergent and a second check valve for permitting only discharge of the liquid detergent from said main body are provided so that the channels can be cleaned by feeding the liquid detergent thereinto through liquid feed tubes. Further including a transfer valve, a pluraltiy of channels can be selectively and switchably cleaned. In addition, a filter apparatus is provided in the device so as to be able to prevent foreign matters contained in the liquid detergent from entering the channels of the endoscope.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for cleaning channels of an endoscope, comprising: a liquid tight main body for confining a cleaning liquid therein;   a first check valve provided in said main body for permitting suction of said cleaning liquid into said main body through a liquid inlet tube which communicates with a cleaning liquid tank when a negative pressure is created in said main body;   a second check valve provided in said main body for permitting discharge of said cleaning liquid from said main body when a positive pressure is created in said main body;   suction means secured to said main body for creating, at the option of the operator of said suction means, a negative or positive pressure in said main body so as to effect suction and discharge, respectively, of the cleaning liquid confined within said main body;   a plurality of connecting port bodies provided on said main body;   a transfer valve having a plurality of positions, said transfer valve operable in each of said plurality of positions to cause a respective one of said connecting port bodies to communicate with said second check valve; and   a plurality of liquid feed tubes each having one end connected to a respective one of said connecting port bodies, the other ends of said liquid feed tubes respectively being for connecting to a plurality of channels of said endoscope including both an air or water feed channel and a suction channel, each of said respective plurality of channels having a different respective fluid flow characteristic, said transfer valve being operable to permit said cleaning fluid to flow through one said respective plurality of channels at a time, whereby a predetermined quantity of fluid may be directed through each respective plurality of channels.   
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, in which said transfer valve comprises a valve case in a hollow cylindrical shape which communicates with the interior of said main body and on which said plurality of connecting port bodies are provided; a cylindrical valve body housed within said valve case in an externally rotatable manner by means of a lever; and a communicating portion which is formed by a cut off part of said valve. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 1, in which said liquid inlet tube is detachably mounted by means of a suction port body which is provided on said main body and a connecting ring which is provided on one end of said tube. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 1, further including a filter apparatus provided in a passage between a suction port of said liquid feed tube and the channels of the endoscope for removing foreign matter contained in said cleaning liquid. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 4, in which said filter apparatus is mounted on the suction port of said liquid feed tube. 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim 4, in which said filter apparatus comprises a filter body on which a mouthpiece is projectedly provided which is fitted into the suction port of said fluid feed tube, a cap which is threadedly mounted on said filter body and a filter which is held between said filter body and said cap so as to cover the suction passage therebetween. 
     
     
       7. A device according to claim 6, in which a deadweight is held between the filter body and the cap together with said filter. 
     
     
       8. A device according to claim 6, in which a leg or legs are projectedly provided on the underside of said cap so that said cap abuts against said tank to prevent said suction passage from being blocked. 
     
     
       9. A device according to claim 4, in which said filter apparatus comprises a filter body on which a mouthpiece is provided which is fitted into the suction port of the liquid feed tube, a filter mounting plate which is rotatably fitted into the filter body at its one end and a filter which is removably fitted into said filter mounting plate so as to cover the suction passage. 
     
     
       10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second check valve is formed in a first end of said main body and said suction means is a secured to a second end of said main body, opposite said first end. 
     
     
       11. A device for cleaning channels of an endoscope of the type having an insertion body with a port at a first end which is configured to be inserted into a cavity, the cleaning device comprising: a liquid tight main body for confining a cleaning liquid therein:   a first check valve provided in said main body for permitting suction of said cleaning liquid into said main body through a liquid inlet tube which communicates with a cleaning liquid tank when a negative pressure is created in said main body;   a second check valve provided in said main body for permitting discharge of said cleaning liquid from said main body when a positive pressure is created in said main body;   suction means secured to said main body for creating, at the option of the operator of said suction means, a negative or positive pressure in said main body so as to effect suction and discharge, respectively, of the cleaning liquid confined within said main body;   a plurality of connecting port bodies provided on said main body;   a transfer valve having a plurality of positions, said transfer valve operable in each of said plurality of positions to cause a respective one of said connecting port bodies to communicate with said second check valve; and   a plurality of liquid feed tubes each having one end connected to a respective one of said connecting port bodies, the other ends of said liquid feed tubes respectively being for connecting to a plurality of channels of said endoscope including both an air or water feed channel and a suction channel, which channels are remote from said first end of said insertion body, each of said respective plurality of channels having a respective fluid flow characteristic, said transfer valve being operable to permit said cleaning liquid to flow through only one of said respective plurality of channels at a time, whereby each of said respective plurality of channels are individually cleaned at a desired pressure and any contaminant lodged in any port opening at said first end of said insertion body is forced out said port opening to prevent contamination inwardly of said port opening.   
     
     
       12. A device according to claim 11, in which said transfer valve comprises a valve case in a hollow cylindrical shape which communicates with the interior of said main body and on which said plurality of connecting port bodies are provided; a cylindrical valve body housed within said valve case in an externally rotatable manner by means of a lever; and a communicating portion which is formed by a cut off part of said valve. 
     
     
       13. A device according to claim 11, in which said liquid inlet tube is detachably mounted by means of a suction port body which is provided on said main body and a connecting ring which is provided on one end of said tube. 
     
     
       14. A device according to claim 11, further including a filter apparatus provided in a passage between a suction port of said liquid feed tube and the channels of the endoscope for removing foreign matter contained in said cleaning liquid. 
     
     
       15. A device according to claim 14, in which said filter apparatus is mounted on the suction port of said liquid feed tube. 
     
     
       16. A device according to claim 14, in which said filter apparatus comprises a filter body on which a mouthpiece is projectedly provided which is fitted into the suction port of said fluid feed tube, a cap which is threadedly mounted on said filter body and a filter which is held between said filter body and said cap so as to cover the suction passage therebetween. 
     
     
       17. A device according to claim 16, in which a deadweight is held between the filter body and the cap together with said filter. 
     
     
       18. A device according to claim 17, in which a leg or legs are projectedly provided on the underside of said cap so that said cap abuts against said tank to prevent said suction passage from being blocked. 
     
     
       19. A device according to claim 14, in which said filter apparatus comprises a filter body on which a mouthpiece is provided which is fitted into the suction port of the liquid feed tube, a filter mounting plate which is rotatably fitted into the filter body at its one end and a filter which is removably fitted into said filter mounting plate so as to cover the suction passage. 
     
     
       20. A device according to claim 11, wherein said second check valve is formed in a first end of said main body and said suction means is a syringe secured to a second end of said main body, opposite said first end.